What Strategic Underwriting Solutions does

Strategic Underwriting Solutions operates as the Exclusive Programs (Accident & Health Underwriters) team within Amwins' Benefits division, delivering specialty accident and health insurance underwriting and program management services through a broker distribution model. Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the company is led by Founder & President/CEO Veronica M. Schmelzer. The business serves insurance brokers placing coverage with self-funded and level-funded employers ranging from 2-300 employees up to large multi-state groups, with a stated book of $500M in underwritten premium volume covering 250,000+ lives.

The product portfolio is organized around proprietary, purpose-built insurance solutions not accessible through standard carrier markets. Core offerings include Large Group and Small Group underwriting, Stop-Loss underwriting for self-funded employers, Coalition Development for retail broker partners, Program Management, Alternative Risk Solutions, Cost Containment, Compliance & Audit Services, Dialysis Management Solutions, and Claims Administration. Underwriting is executed through AM Best A-rated carrier partnerships, and the team is described as a long-standing platinum member of the Self-Insurance Institute of America. No proprietary technology platform is disclosed.

The business model combines underwriting premium economics with managed program management fees. Distribution is conducted exclusively through a broker channel, with the 50+ member team supporting brokers from submissions through enrollment, including risk assessment, pricing model development, premium and claims support, insurance and reinsurance placement, and compliance services. The company does not disclose pricing tiers; each placement is custom-underwritten based on employer size, risk factors, and plan design. No revenue, funding, or ownership data is publicly disclosed.

Name

Strategic Underwriting Solutions

Website

https://strategicunderwritingsolutions.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Strategic Underwriting Solutions is the Exclusive Programs team within Amwins' Benefits division, providing specialty accident and health underwriting and program management services to insurance brokers placing coverage with self-funded and level-funded employers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Insurance Underwriting

NAICS

Insurance Agencies and Brokerages (52421), Agencies, Brokerages, and Other Insurance Related Activities (5242), Insurance Agencies and Brokerages (524210), Other Insurance Related Activities (52429)

SIC

Insurance Agents, Brokers & Service (6411), Accident & Health Insurance (6321)

akta.pro primary industry

Specialty Insurance Brokerage (Marine, Aviation, Cyber, Professional Lines) (FSAEADAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Underwriting Decision Support & Rules Engines (FSAOAIAD)

Keywords

• Specialty insurance underwriting
• Stop-loss insurance
• Accident health insurance
• Employee benefits underwriting
• Program management services

Headquarters

HQ city

Green Bay

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Underwriting Premium: Generates revenue through underwriting specialty accident and health insurance programs for self-funded and level-funded employer plans. Premium is underwritten through AM Best A-rated carrier relationships.
2. Program Management: Provides comprehensive program management services including risk assessment, pricing model development, premium and claims support, insurance and reinsurance placement, and compliance and audit services.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Strategic Underwriting Solutions provides proprietary specialty accident and health insurance underwriting, program management, and risk assessment services for self-funded and level-funded employer plans, distributed through insurance brokers. The firm supports brokers from submissions through enrollment on small group (2-300 employees), large group, and stop-loss cases, backed by AM Best A-rated carrier relationships.

Product overview

Strategic Underwriting Solutions operates as a unified insurance services platform under Amwins' Exclusive Programs (Accident & Health Underwriters) division. The portfolio centers on a core Exclusive Programs offering complemented by specialized underwriting services (Large Group, Small Group, Stop-Loss), coalition development, program management, alternative risk solutions, cost containment, compliance and audit services, dialysis management solutions, and claims administration. These components work together as an integrated suite enabling brokers to access proprietary insurance solutions, specialized plan designs, and streamlined administration to protect clients from market volatility.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Exclusive Programs (Accident & Health Underwriters) Umbrella offering for proprietary, purpose-built accident and health insurance solutions not available through standard markets. Designed for brokers placing business with self-funded and level-funded employers that need specialized plan designs, streamlined administration, and dedicated support. Backed by Amwins' underwriting and program management capabilities and AM Best A-rated carrier relationships.
• Large Group Underwriting Underwriting service for brokers handling complex large group cases that require expertise, precision, and flexibility. Provides competitive solutions backed by disciplined, sustainable pricing, clear terms and options, and support through binding and implementation for multi-state opportunities.
• Small Group Underwriting Quoting and placement service for brokers supporting employers in the 2-300 employee range. Delivers custom underwriting and expert guidance on carrier fit, plan design, and affordability, supporting brokers from submissions through enrollment.
• Stop-Loss Underwriting Stop-loss underwriting service for self-funded employers, providing market-ready structures and responsive turnaround. Translates claims experience and risk factors into specific and aggregate recommendations, negotiates competitive terms with top carriers, and guides strategies around disclosures, lasers, contract basis, and renewals.
• Coalition Development Service helping retail partners develop stop-loss coalitions, including designing preferred provider relationships, defining coalition terms, contracting with carriers and reinsurers, managing quoting and renewal processes, customized reporting, profitability strategies, and internal accounting controls.
• Program Management Program management service designing tailored solutions that combine specialized underwriting, operational oversight, and vendor coordination to create custom programs around high-impact cost drivers, with disciplined reporting and governance.
• Alternative Risk Solutions Innovative alternative risk-management solutions helping brokers and clients navigate the health insurance market with non-standard structures and approaches.
• Compliance and Audit Services Services helping brokers and employers reduce risk, strengthen governance, and keep plans aligned with evolving regulatory requirements through documentation, reporting, and operational best practices.
• Dialysis Management Solutions Solutions helping self-funded healthcare plans manage high-cost dialysis claims exposure through network strategy and cost containment approaches to guide members to appropriate providers.
• Claims Administration Comprehensive claims management solution streamlining the entire claims process from submission to resolution, ensuring efficiency and accuracy at every step.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 250,000 lives covered under their programs
• +1 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• AM Best A-Rated CarrierscoreOthersStrategic carrier partnerships providing financial security and stability for policyholders. The carriers are underwritten by a long-standing platinum member of the Self-Insurance Insurance Institute of America, ensuring reliable coverage execution.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Sun Life Financial (U.S. Stop-Loss Group): Sun Life's U.S. Stop-Loss Group is one of the largest dedicated stop-loss providers serving self-funded employers through brokers. Directly comparable to SUS's stop-loss underwriting franchise in product offering, broker distribution model, and self-funded employer target market.
• Voya Financial (Stop-Loss Centers): Voya operates Stop-Loss Centers providing specialized stop-loss coverage and underwriting for self-funded employer plans through broker distribution. Comparable to SUS in target market (self-funded employers), product (specific and aggregate stop-loss), and broker-led GTM.
• Symetra Life Insurance Company: Symetra is a specialty stop-loss carrier focused on self-funded employer plans with broker distribution. Comparable to SUS in core stop-loss product, self-funded employer focus, and reliance on broker relationships for placement.
• RPS (Risk Placement Services): RPS is a wholesale brokerage and specialty MGA platform placing specialty insurance including accident & health and stop-loss for brokers. Comparable as a specialty insurance intermediary providing underwriting expertise and broker support across similar lines of business.
• Burns & Wilcox: Burns & Wilcox is a specialty insurance wholesale broker and MGA placing complex and niche risks including accident & health coverages for retail brokers. Comparable to SUS's specialty underwriting and broker distribution approach.
• Companion Life Insurance Company: Companion Life is a specialty accident & health insurance carrier underwriting stop-loss, voluntary, and group benefits products through brokers. Comparable to SUS in specialty A&H underwriting focus and broker-driven distribution.

Broad incumbents

• Tokio Marine HCC Specialty Group: Tokio Marine HCC operates a large specialty insurance platform with accident & health, stop-loss, and medical stop-loss underwriting capabilities globally. Comparable as a specialty A&H underwriter with broker distribution, though operating at much larger scale and broader geographic scope.
• Cigna Healthcare (Stop-Loss): Cigna offers stop-loss coverage through its health services division for self-funded employers via brokers. Comparable in stop-loss product offering and self-funded employer segment, though part of a much larger diversified health services portfolio.
• CRC Insurance Services: CRC Insurance Services is one of the largest U.S. wholesale insurance brokerages distributing specialty and niche insurance products through retail broker partners. Comparable to SUS's broker-led wholesale distribution model in accident & health and benefits lines.

Emerging players

• Roundstone Management, Ltd. Roundstone is a stop-loss captive manager enabling self-funded employers and brokers to access group captive structures for stop-loss coverage. Comparable to SUS in stop-loss focus and self-funded employer segment, with an alternative ownership structure (group captives).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Strategic Underwriting Solutions